The teacher provokes students' thinking with a question, prompt, or observation. The students should take a few moments (probably not minutes) just to think about the question.
Pair
Using designated partners, nearby neighbors, or a deskmate, students pair up to talk about the answer each has developed. They compare their mental or written notes and identify the answers they think are best, most convincing, or most unique.
Share
After students discuss their reasoning in pairs for a few moments (again, usually not minutes), the teacher calls for pairs to share their thinking with the rest of the class. This can be done in round-robin fashion, calling on each pair randomly, or taking answers as they are called out (or as hands are raised). Often, the teacher or a designated helper will record these responses on the board or on an overhead projector.
Think-Pair-Share
Think
The teacher provokes students' thinking with a question, prompt, or observation. The students should take a few moments (probably not minutes) just to think about the question.
Pair
Using designated partners, nearby neighbors, or a deskmate, students pair up to talk about the answer each has developed. They compare their mental or written notes and identify the answers they think are best, most convincing, or most unique.
Share
After students discuss their reasoning in pairs for a few moments (again, usually not minutes), the teacher calls for pairs to share their thinking with the rest of the class. This can be done in round-robin fashion, calling on each pair randomly, or taking answers as they are called out (or as hands are raised). Often, the teacher or a designated helper will record these responses on the board or on an overhead projector.